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Occupational health research priorities in Malaysia: a Delphi study

Sadhra, S., Beach, J.R, Aw, Tar-Ching (2001) Occupational health research priorities in Malaysia: a Delphi study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 58 (7). pp. 426-431. ISSN 1351-0711. (doi:10.1136/oem.58.7.426) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:12265)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
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Abstract

Objectives-As part of a consultancy project on occupational health, the Delphi method was used to identify research priorities in occupational health in Malaysia.

Methods-Participation was sought fi om government ministries, industry, and professional organisations, and university departments with an interest in occupational and public health. Two rounds of questionnaires resulted in a find list of priorities, with noticeable differences between participants depending on whether they worked in industry or were from government organisations.

Results-The participation rate of 71% (55 of 78) was obtained for the first questionnaire and 76% (72 of 95) for the second questionnaire. The participants identified occupational health problems for specific groups and industries as the top research priority area (ranked as top priority by 25% of participants). Ministry of Health participants placed emphasis on healthcare workers (52% ranking it as top priority), whereas those fi om industry identified construction and plantation workers as groups, which should be accorded the highest priority. Evaluation of research and services was given a low priority,

Conclusions-The priorities for occupational health determined with the Delphi approach showed differences between Malaysia, a developing country, and findings from similar European studies. This may be expected, as differences exist in stages of economic development, types of industries, occupational activities, and cultural attitudes to occupational health and safety. Chemical poisonings and workplace accidents were accorded a high priority. By contrast with findings from western countries, workplace psychosocial problems and musculoskeletal injuries were deemed less important. There also seemed to be greater emphasis on adopting interventions for identified problems based on experience in other countries rather than the need to evaluate local occupational health provisions.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1136/oem.58.7.426
Additional information: NOT IN FILE
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: M.P. Stone
Date Deposited: 27 Oct 2008 16:26 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:30 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/12265 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Aw, Tar-Ching.

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